Market‐Driven, Focused Healthcare: The Role of Managers

Summary Focused factories will play a positive role in the future U.S. healthcare system. As demonstrated in the revitalized organizations in other parts of our economy, focused factories can provide better, more affordable products. A clear agenda and attention to the customer enable focused firms to develop world‐class managerial systems for achieving their goals. These systems codify and integrate many separate functional activities to achieve consistent, high‐quality, moderate cost results in each of many separate locations. In healthcare, focused factories can offer care for chronic diseases, frequently performed procedures, and primary and diagnostic care. Such organizations will be able to present clear outcome data, charge lower prices, and enhance customer satisfaction simultaneously.